Beyond Brushstrokes
Maria Victoria Rufino
As little children, years ago, we eagerly gazed up at the dark sky and waited for the church bells to peal the midnight hour of the Easter vigil. We jumped up because we believed that old superstition that we would grow taller.
On New Year’s Eve, we were transported by the booming cannon sounds of firecrackers. The sky was lot with thousands of Roman candles and fountains of iridescent ribbons.
On quiet nights, we would trace our favorite constellations and search for shooting stars. One special star outshone the rest. Our secret wish on the brightest star was that time would stand still — that everything would remain the same.
Life seemed so perfect and so simple then. We were innocent and carefree. We were not yet aware of the complications, problems, and heartaches of adults.
In a way, we wanted to be children forever — like the mythical Peter Pan. We did not want to grow up and leave our precious childhood behind.
Those wistful images occasionally recur like the haunting melody of a favorite lullaby, to remind the adult that the inner child of the past still exists.
M Scott Peck wrote, “Growing up is the act of taking a fearful leap into the unknown undetermined, unsafe, insecure, unsanctified, and never predictable. It is a leap that many people never really take in their lifetimes.”
The world has gone through several fluctuations. There have been periods of prosperity, the economic crunch, and recession during the financial meltdown and recovery. Like a high-flying balloon that burst, fortunes plunged. The unprecedented losses of wealthy countries were incredible. People who used to have so many material possessions suddenly found themselves with so little.
The world was reeling from the domino effects of crumbling financial giants that once dominated the financial scene. The arrogant CEOs have been humbled by a series of major setbacks. There were a few tragedies. The others have recycled themselves and bounced back.
People have abruptly awakened to a shocking reality of global threats — climate change, terrorism, epidemics, catastrophes, conflicts and wars. There have been gloomy forecasts of impending disasters — natural or man-made. Earthquakes and floods.
For some years, the consumer society has had to deal with downsizing in lifestyle. Frugality and simplicity were “in.” Excess and ostentation were “out.”
What we were all undergoing was an upheaval of tsunami proportions.
Gradually, as the economy expanded, the scene, attitudes, and habits changed.
Growing up is a painful process. It is difficult to change. One has to learn new things as one sheds the old ways and obsolete ideas.
Change requires discipline and great effort. It is not easy to break out of the comfort zone and spread one’s wings. When there is a crisis, it is hard for many individuals to shift to low gear.
Taking a leap into the unknown is the challenge. We need to change our attitude, reorient ourselves, and focus on our priorities.
Who can really predict what will happen next?
Every crisis offers hidden opportunities. One has to look around and find them. When one hits rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
What we need is hope and a sense of optimism. We should shed the blinders, shake off some of the stardust but still retain a bit of the childlike wonder.
We should have faith in ourselves to survive the difficulties that arise and block our way. Because of the obstacles, the spirit learns to become stronger.
It is time to get our act together, take the leap, and grow up.
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
mavrufino@gmail.com
